News from the Missoula Cultural Council

March's First Friday promises to be one of the busiest, with more downtown businesses participating than ever before. Winter is still with us, and showing few signs of giving way to spring any time soon, and yet that won't slow the activity on the busiest night of each month. On March 29, MCC holds its annual Awards Lunch at the Doubletree, honoring individuals and businesses for their contributions to our cultural landscape. Thanks to the A&E Architects, one of those businesses just mentioned,for sponsoring this month's art walk.

Galleries and Museums

Montana Museum of Art & CultureUM Campus - PAR-TVMontana Museum of Art & Culture presents a First Friday Reception for two exhibits running concurrently: Nadia Hironaka and Matthew Suib - Black Hole/Whiteout, and Curiosity - Selections from the Permanent Collection, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the PARTV Center Lobby, with a lecture by the artists at 5:15 p.m. Visithttp://www.umt.edu/montanamuseum for regular hours and more information.

The Artists' Shop304 North Higgins Ave. The Artists' Shop, gallery of regional art and fine craft, 304 N. Higgins, Missoula, presents "Early Rising: Contemporary Calligraphy by Amity Parks." You are invited to an artists' reception on First Friday, March 2, from 5-8 p.m. The show may be viewed through March (open 10-6 Mon- Sat.) Calligraphy (the art of beautiful writing), for many people conjures up the image of beautifully lettered certificates, inspiring quotes, and wedding invitations. And while those do indeed fall into the world of calligraphy, it is actually a much more diverse field than that stereotype. There are, worldwide today, many fantastic artists using text and letterforms as a focus of their artwork. While their work is far reaching in its variety, in most cases, it stems from a passion for the letters of the alphabet. From the forms of the letters themselves to the way they form words into ideas, the alphabet is a fascinating subject of study.

Monte Dolack Gallery139 West Front For this First Friday, The Monte Dolack Gallery will feature Mythic Moonrise, a retrospective exhibition of the transcendent and surreal mystery of nature. Musical entertainment will be provided by Dan Dubuque, refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. The image here is Desert Moon, by Monte Dolack, acrylic on panel, 2010.

The Brink Gallery111 West Front The Brink Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition Atari Aesthetic, a juried art exhibition, with juror, Jen Erickson. Atari Aesthetic includes a wide variety of mediums, from videos to sculptures, drawings, paintings, and more. Artists were encouraged to incorporate and explore the cultural phenomenon of Atari, either conceptually, or technically, or both. Local, as well as national artists, are participating in the exhibition. The juror, Jen Erickson, is a contemporary artist who lives and works in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Her nationally displayed drawings pull inspiration from obsolete technology and information systems. Erickson has a BFA from The University of Montana and an MFA from Central Washington University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Saranac Art Projects and is active with PUNCH, an artist run gallery in Seattle, Washington. Please join us for a reception with the artists on Friday, March 2nd, 5 - 8pm.

Dana Gallery246 North HigginsDudley Dana and the Dana Gallery would like to extend an invitation to the opening reception for our March exhibition featuring works by talented rising young artist Alan Chan from the San Francisco area. Alan Chan will be traveling to Missoula to attend the opening evening festivities and will present an artist talk on Saturday morning. Please join the Dana Gallery for March’s “First Friday” opening, 5-8 p.m.

Rocky Mountain School of Photography216 North Higgins Rocky Mountain School of Photography Gallery presents 'Photo Finish' by Neil Chaput de Saintonge. In partnership with Run Wild Missoula, this exhibit is a collection of photos from The Missoula Marathon and other races from 2009-2011. 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Rising Lions131 East MainRising Lions Gallery presents "Living Iron" by Joe Keeton, a creation of fluid, hand-forged iron combined with the natural beauty of native wood and stone. We are also proud to feature live music by folksinger and songwriter 907Britt. 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Montana Art and Framing709 RonanMontana Art and Framing presents "Atelier"- the Thursday Artists Working Group. A First Friday gallery opening will be held from 5 to 9 pm. Since 2009, the Thursday Artists' Working Group (TAWG) has painted together in the studio of Stephanie J. Frostad. This exhibition includes work by current members of TAWG along with a few others who have shared the studio in recent seasons: Julie Chaffee, Mamie Colburn, Teresa Garland Warner, Becki Johnson, Jackie McMahan, Ellen Silverglat, and Elene Weege. Call 541-7100 for more information.

Clay Studio of Missoula

1106-A Hawthorne

Out of the Wilderness, hosted by the Clay Studio of Missoula, features ceramic pottery and sculpture by current University of Montana Ceramic MFA graduate candidates Dean Foster, Ron Geibel, Sarahjess Hurt, Suzanne Lussier, Randi O’Brien, Sarah Tancred, and Nathan Tonning. As students of the University of Montana, the artists of Out of the Wilderness will share work that reflects the commitment of the University Ceramics department towards individual expression and experimentation. Included in the show will be a diverse representation of contemporary ceramics, including utilitarian and conceptual pottery and sculpture. The exhibition will be on display at the Clay Studio of Missoula from March 2-23, with an opening on Friday, March 2, from 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Sharrott Creek Gallery 401 West Broadway This is the first official show at this gallery, located in the Budget Travel building on the corner of Broadway and Orange. Sharrott Creek Gallery's website is: www.sharrott-creek-gallery.com. This month's exhibit is Images from South Florida - a selection of photos taken by Bryan D. Spellman during a week’s stay in Miami Beach, February 2012. Photos include scenes from Miami Beach, Key West, and the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County. Scenes include landscapes, waterscapes, and portraits of some of the birds native to South Florida.

Zootown Arts Community Center235 North First Street ZACC presents a SECOND FRIDAY art opening on February 9. Throughout the month of March and two weeks into April, the ZACC will feature the large scale paintings of Marlo Crocifisso. Filled with mixed media, spray paint, ink, charcoal, oil, and the use of stencils, Crocifisso's works embody the marriage between her filtered imagination and the concrete representation of an image. She accurately portrays an object or subject and then adds her own stylistic voice. The works on view are four of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac: A Sheep, Horse, Snake, and Tiger. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Other Venues

A&E Architects 222 North HigginsThis month A&E Architects present Acrylics on Canvas by Karen Jorgenson. Karen has pursued varied art forms for over 20 years. She has operated her own home-based studio and sold oil and acrylic paintings, pen & ink Christmas cards and antler art. She has staged exhibitions of her work in White bear Lake and Buffalo, Minnesota, and Libby, Montana. Opening reception 5-8 p.m.

Lambros ERA420 North Higgins, suite CLambros presents two Artists for March First Friday – Weavings and Photos by a mother and daughter team. Karen Myers will be displaying her weavings and her daughter Lindsey Myers is a photographer and will be displaying some of her photography. Karen has shown weavings in galleries across Montana: Missoula, Livingston, Hamilton, Bozeman, Bigfork, and Big Sky. Lindsey Myers is a Montana native, and likes to travel and take photographs around the US, Ireland, and Canada. She takes photos of landscapes large and small. Reception 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Computer Central136 East Broadway Computer Central presents Photography by Bpow. Brian Powers (Bpow) is a local photographer. Bpow works with a variety of photography and specializes in portraiture and landscape photography. Check out more of his work at bpowphoto.com Reception 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Masonic Temple126 East Broadway, 2nd Floor“Spring Cleaning and Open Studio”. Laura Blaker is opening up her studio and having a "spring cleaning" of oil paintings and floorcloths to make room for new pieces, which means Missoulians get a chance to purchase artwork at reduced prices. Reception 5-8 pm.

Dark Room 135 North HigginsThe Dark Room presents Eric Pallister: Figures on a Landscape. A ski decent on a snowy arctic slope, a boat ride across a far-flung corner of the Pacific Ocean, a chance encounter with texture, creature, or a glimpse of what is wild and most remote, all become figures on a landscape. In this show, Erik Pallister, a new photographer in Missoula, will share his images from work and play on landscapes. Reception 5-8 p.m.

The Loft of Missoula119 West MainJoin us at The Loft for Sanity Doodles Unleashed! by Beth Jaffe. This show featuring Beth's abstract works in a range of color palettes and mixed media demonstrates her dynamic flow of energy translations. Art fans from all walks of life relish the joy and care skillfully exhibited in these pieces. Enjoy abstract fun with water color and mixed media. Explore the soul nourishing realm of calm where dreams dance to life in color and balance. Or just rest and occupy the present as you witness one artist's version of sanity in the land of chaos. Sanity Doodles are for everyone with pieces priced for wallets of all tastes and sizes. 5-8 p.m.

Open Aid Alliance 500 North Higgins Open Aid, formerly known as Missoula Aids Council, presents "The Opening" by photographer Carmine A. Leighton, Friday March 2, from 5-8 p.m. Beverages and snacks provided with musical performances by Rhanda Johnson and Bruce Allen.

Families First Children's Museum 225 West Front Street The Families First Children’s Museum presents the art opening of the students of Clark Fork School. Fun for the entire family! Admission is free from 5pm to 7pm. Visit www.FamiliesFirstMontana.org for regular hours and more information.

Top Hat 134 West Front The Rock Bottom at the Top Hat presents Rachael Marne Jones - "Found"

Betty's Divine South Higgins Rock, Yarn, and Beans: Kia Liszak presents a series of classic album covers replicated in traditional kindergarten art forms without sparing any detail. 64 Tuna on the Betty's stage! Taro Sharp (bass), 7th grade, Ollie Barrow (guitar), 7th grade and Levi Barrow (drums), 4th grade. Inspired by Green Day, B-52's, and Bon Jovi, but they write almost all their own material. Small rockers who pack a serious punch and put on a great show. Treats & Wine! 5-8pm

Taco Sano 115 1/2 4th Street West Kelly Loder entitles her entire collection of work "Emotion In Motion", and mainly utilizes acrylic paint, including metallics, as well as pastel chalk, ink, and charcoal. She has worked as an artist for 18 years, and has been showing art in the Missoula area for 6 years. Art work is on display at the Raja Smoke Shop, Taco Sano, and the local Mental Health Center in Missoula. Kelly also shows and sells artwork from her home, and teaches art to all ages. Her March First Friday Showing is at Taco Sano, 5-8 p.m. Visit kellyloder.webs.com

Draught Works 915 Toole Draught Works presents Music Fusion Painting with renowned live artist Jason Bohman on stage 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on First Friday.

Mismo Gymnastics 1900 West Broadway Mismo is proud to present the Whizpops (www.thewhizpops.com) in concert at Mismo. This is a great band for kids! Friday March 2nd. The awesome bounce house, face painting, pit, and our awesome new partner for dinner Biga Pizza. Kids have fun on First Friday too!

Garden Mother Herbs 345 West Front Street Suite C Native American artist Joseph Hasket is inspired by natural images. A simple feather takes the viewer to understand the sacredness that it represents to him. His art breaths life. His landscapes and animal images blend with spiritual aspects of his Native American heritage and bring the viewer into that place. Garden Mother Herbs invites you to experience Joesph Hasket's art first hand and to meet him in person. Local artist Emmet incorporates linear aspects with circle layering and vivid color to give the view a feeling of organized chaos. His pieces have multilayered dimensions that fit well with his spiritual subject matter. Join Garden Mother Herbs for a night of native art, appetizers and drumming. 5-8 p.m.

Want to be listed here?

To get on the printed postcard and on this blog, email your information by the 15th of every month & in the following format: Put a 50-100 word description in the body of your email. Please attach a jpg, tiff, or png image to the email. Late information can't be printed on the walking guide, because we need to send it to the printer. Click here to send your First Friday listing to us. (Please, no PDFs or Word documents. Text in the body of the email, picture attached. Thanks!)

LATE SUBMISSIONS? If you miss the 15th deadline, we will still place your listing onto this blog, but as a rule of thumb: if First Friday is just a few days away, we can't guarantee your late submission will make it onto the blog. Thanks!